Okay, so there’s something I understand, and there’s something I don’t understand.

I understand that a sinner who is sinning the sin of homosexuality is confused. I understand that he sins no more than the man and woman who cohabitate outside of wedlock. I understand that all of these people need Christ, and it’s pretty useless to expect them to change their sinful behavior without first getting saved and having the Holy Spirit to help them do that. That only makes sense. So witness to them so they can get saved and have the Holy Spirit to help them fight their battles with sin!

But there’s something else that I don’t quite understand.

If I am standing on the street corner, and I see a man pull out a knife and try to stab another man, what moral compunction should keep me from trying to stop him?

Discounting fear and the fact that if I step in, I’m probably going to get cut, what moral reason is there for me to not step in and save that man’s life? Or at least to talk to the would-be murderer and try to get him to put the knife away and go home?

I can’t think of one.

And that’s what I think about abortion too.

I hear a lot of people talk about “don’t judge people on homosexuality and abortion.” And I get that. Someone who’s out there without God and horribly confused and desperate and looking for meaning is going to turn to sin to try and find fulfillment. And we need to love these people and lead them to Christ, Who is the only One Who can give them peace and make them whole. That’s what we should be doing for everyone, regardless of what sins they commit!

But does that mean that I shouldn’t try to talk to a woman who is about to murder a child and at least try to talk her out of it? I’m not “judging” her, any more than I’m “judging” the man with the knife who’s about to stab another man. A murderer, in order to commit murder, convinces himself in his own mind that the one he wants to murder is somehow less important than his needs, feelings, desires, or wants.* That’s how one human being can coldly kill another human being.

And isn’t that the same thing as abortion?

Yes, it’s legal. You can’t go to jail for killing an unborn child. I get that. But does that mean that I shouldn’t try to convince the would-be murderer to not do it?

I’m not saying to “judge” the hurting, confused woman who is about to murder her child.

I’m saying realize within your own heart that you could be witness to a murder, and if you don’t at least try to lovingly, caringly help her to decide not to kill her child, you’ll be the same as the one who stands and watches a man be stabbed to death. And you get to look at the police, his family, and God, and say, “Yes, I saw it. And I did nothing.”

*Or that perhaps his victim has a lower quality of life than he should, or that he can’t get around without assistance, or that he’s a burden to others. Many murders of post-natal people have been committed with just those rationales.

If you’d like more information on my insistence on acting as if a fetus is a human being, please see this, or for a more in-depth analysis, this.

Okay, so I know I haven’t posted in a long time. But I was busy, y’know? Busy with good stuff! I want to tell ya about it! Let me start at the beginning…

I’ve been praying for several months about what to do with my fabric and yarn stash. I have a closet overflowing with stuff to sew and knit with, and I’m not going to be able to take it with me to Central America. That stuff has got to go.

But I wanted it to go to a good purpose, one that would help spread the Gospel and bring joy to the hurting. And the Lord let me know about a very lovely ministry. You may know about it, or you may not.

Operation Christmas Child.

It’s an outreach of Samaritan’s Purse. Every year, people all over America, Canada, Europe, and Australia pack hundreds of thousands of shoeboxes (or millions, I don’t know their exact numbers) full of gifts for a boy or girl of one of three age groups. Samaritan’s Purse collects the boxes and ships them all over the world to children in poor communities.
But it doesn’t end there. ☺

Wherever they are able, they present the Gospel to the children before giving them the shoeboxes. The boxes are a tangible example of Christ’s love to children who may never have experienced love before. And the children are taken through a discipleship course by local church leaders so that the kids can know how to be strong followers of Christ.

I am so excited about Operation Christmas Child.

I prayed about it, and I believe that this is what God wants me to do with my stash. So I’ve been spending the past weeks making hats and stuffed animals and pencil cases and drawstring bags like absolute crazy. So many children will be helped and receive joy and experience the love of Christ through His Church—and I get my storage closet back!

I’ve decided to make a new section for posts about OCC—cause it’s a mission field that we can partake in right here in America! God’s given me a talent for sewing and for designing, so I’ll be posting tutorials as well as commentary on different designs and patterns for useful items that I find.

What do you do when God is taking you through a really rough time? When you can barely think through the inner turmoil and you’re trying to figure out who you are? And you just want to sit and cry in a dark room all day and functioning really isn’t a happening thing?

Well, when you get done reading a few books of the Bible to try to find the answers you’re looking for and when you’ve prayed until you’ve said all you can say, you make a cake.
At least that’s what I did this last week.

This cake is a soul food, it really is. It’s cold and light and full of sweetness and cleanses the palate, and it gives you a shot of sugar that really helps clear your head of the fog of being sad. Besides just being absolutely fantastic.

And for the love of all that is delicious, don’t you DARE use fat-free or sugar-free nuthin’ in this cake!

Make the cake according to directions as a single cake (one of those big rectangular pans). As soon as it comes out of the oven, poke it all over with the handle of a wooden spoon. Drizzle all over with the milk, then the caramel. Refrigerate until cool. While it’s cooling, get the cool whip out of the freezer to thaw. When the cake is cool, spread the whipped topping over the top and sprinkle on the Heath pieces.

I’m going to make a confession. I hate beans in my chili. I can make myself eat it with beans, cause, y’know, chili powder covers a multitude of sins, but I just don’t like it. When I ladle mounds of chili over french fries, I want thick, meaty, spicy, tomato-y goodness. None of that vegetable protein stuff. God told Noah that meat is on the menu, and who am I to question God’s food choices? 😉 So here’s the chili recipe I was raised on and that my strapping farmboy of a husband loves and adores.

Brown the beef and drain. Toss everything into a crock pot, give it a stir, and let it cook on high for 2-6 hours. (Two hours is the bare minimum if you’re really in a hurry. Give it longer if you want those flavors to blend).

Last week, hubby and I took a little trip down to our college to see our friends before graduation. It’s only been a year since we graduated, and walking the lovely old sidewalks again, it felt like we’d never left. It was an amazing time to revisit the past and think very seriously about the future. But more on that later. We were there to visit old friends, and we ran into more people than we remembered knowing. It was fantastic getting updates on everyone; who was engaged, who had changed majors, who was accepted into the different programs, who had broken more limbs (I’m looking at you, Nicole). And I got to tell everyone what I’ve been doing for the past twelve months. Most conversations went something like this:

Friend: “So, what have you been up to? Married and all?”

Me: “Yeah, I’ve been, well, uh, I’ve been being married.”

*cue confused look from friend*

Friend: “That’s, uh, great, uh, I guess…”

Honestly, it was very awkward.

Everyone at college knew that Hubby and I are headed for the mission field. And I suppose that everyone expected that we’d get hitched and just start storming the gates of hell with a water pistol. That’s kind of the image one gets when one thinks “missionary,” isn’t it?

But that’s not what we were told to do, not right away.

We were directed to wait.

It’s excruciating. It’s maddening. It hurts. I’ve broken down in tears more than once wondering what we’re doing here and if we’re actually doing anyone any good. We want to go. We desperately, achingly want to go. We want to book a plane and get our keisters to a third-world country where we can do things with our hands and get dirty winning souls and spreading the hope of Jesus.

But we were directed to park here, start learning how to do this married thing, and wait.

There’s a story that God has brought to my memory time and time again when I chafed in my impatience to go:

2 Samuel 18:19-32
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.
And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead.
Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.
And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.
And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.
And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.
And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.

Ahimaaz wanted to go. He wanted to go soooooo bad. But he wasn’t ready yet. He didn’t have the full message. He wasn’t fully equipped to go. So when he went, he wasn’t able to complete the mission. But Cushi waited till he had all the information he needed, and when the general told him to go, he was off like a shot. And he was able to complete his mission.

Cushi waited for his general to tell him what to do. He had patience. He waited, and he listened.

And Hubby and I are waiting. We’re not equipped to go yet. Much as we want to, if we went right now, we would fail in our mission. We’re preparing as much as we can; learning languages, acquiring skills, getting rid of junk. And we’re waiting for the Lord’s go-ahead.

It doesn’t sound very exciting, and it doesn’t make a good story, but it’s our job right now.

So when God does tell us to storm hell with a water pistol, we’ll be ready.

Hi everyone! Sorry I’ve been silent for a few days. Hubby and I took a trip down to college to see all our friends who are graduating. It was a great time! Only now I’m all stiff from riding in the car for so many hours, so doing karate is going to be interesting for the next few days. Well, anyhoo, today I’d like to introduce to you one of my family’s all-time favorite recipes. This baby still gets asked for at church suppers. It’s melt-in-your mouth delicious and absolutely habit-forming. May I introduce my dad’s favorite:

Tommy’s Brownies

(No, I do not have a picture yet. Usually when I make these they disappear too fast for me to get a shot of anything but crumbs. But soon—SOON I shall attempt to make them and get a good pic before Hubby wrests them out of my hands).

Melt the baking chocolate and butter together in a microwave or on the stove. If you use the stove, be careful not to burn to chocolate. Baker’s is just so darn thick that it’s easy for it to lump up and burn. Put the heat no higher than medium, and keep butter under the chocolate at all times.

Mix the dry ingredients together.

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, and vanilla together. DO NOT use a mixer; do it by hand. (Do I know why that is? No. Mama’s recipe said that, so I’m guessing that she mixed it with a mixer sometime twenty years ago and there was an epic disaster. Mine is not to reason why).

Blend the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture.

Mix in the dry stuff.

If you like nuts, add in 1/2 cup chopped nuts of your choice.

Pour into a greased 8- or 9-inch circle or square Pyrex dish.

Bake for 24 minutes.

Serve hot with ice cream on top or cooled for an after-work snack.

These are my favorite brownies to give to neighbors because they firm up very nicely. They’re not gooey all over the place, so they make a pretty little pile on a pretty little plate for a pretty little neighbor. 🙂

Statistics tell us that of all the Christians who believe that God wants them to go to the mission field, 1 per cent actually go. That means that when 100 people stand up and say that they believe really and truly that God has called them to go to a foreign land and preach the Gospel, only 1 of them will go.

Is that sad, or what?

Now, not everyone is called to the mission field. That’s a given. God has different jobs for each of us to do. God has given each of us gifts so that we can fill different niches in His great plan. But if you are convinced that the Lord wants you to go preach the Gospel to someone who’s never heard His name, what would convince you not to go?

The answer, unfortunately, is simple. It’s one I’ve heard dozens of times, all over the place, in different parts of this country, from people in all different walks of life.

Real life happened.

You got married, got a dog, got a mortgage, got a car, got pregnant, got a job, got caught up in the daily tasks that make up “real life,” and you forgot.*

Okay, that play on words was completely unintentional, but it turned out beautifully, didn’t it? 🙂

Hubby and I are in what I’ve come to term “The Danger Zone” of getting to the mission field. We’re in Real Life. We got married a few months ago, and, having received wise council, we’re living in our own culture for a year or two, getting used to being married, learning to live and work together before we lob ourselves into a foreign culture—where we get to do it all over again, but in another language. But now is the time when we can grow attachments, little things, big things, things that can turn us away and pull us aside from what we believe God wants us to do.

So we have to stay focused.

You, young singles and married couples who believe God wants you on the foreign field, have to stay focused.

Because “real life” is very, very subtle.

*The use of “you” in this article is not meant to be accusatory. I’m sorry if it comes across that way to anyone. It seemed the best and most consistent grammar to use, since I was asking a question. It just wouldn’t do to use “you” to ask a question and “they” to state the answer, would it?

Sorry I haven’t posted for a few days, guys. This baby took a long time to write!

So, it occurred to me a few nights ago while I stood over the stove frying up some bannock that it might be nice for me to have a recipe page on here. Not necessarily a page of my recipes; I have a few from my family’s archives, but I didn’t set out to start a cooking blog! But, in the interest of helping out stressed-out ladies trying to feed hungry husbands keep their sanity, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite recipes from around the web.

I’ve only included here recipes that we’ve tried and Hubby has actively asked for again and again. The ones that make him sit up and beg. Or dance. And white boy don’t dance. 🙂

This was the recipe that introduced me to Pioneer Woman. Mama gave us some cream cheese she didn’t need, so we grabbed some onions and wonton wrappers and tried it! Oh. Mah. Word. Hubby doesn’t even like cream cheese, and he devoured these. Tip: They are infinitely easier if you use a Fry Daddy!

The best darn potato soup make by anyone, anywhere! When we were engaged, hubby and I both expressed a mutual disdain for soup. Watery, nasty stuff, blah! This soup blasted those preconceptions to kingdom come. Creamy, rich, potato-y, delicious goodness from heaven! Goes very well with crusty, fresh bread.

While we’re talking about soups, this stuff tops just about everything else that I’ve ever put in my mouth. I put a tiddy tad more red pepper than she calls for, and since I don’t like the funny taste of the goop in cans of black beans, I rinsed the black beans before I put them in the soup. Hubby and I like to eat this topped with sour cream and freshly fried tortilla strips.

One more soup. I promise, just one more. For now. This is a chunky, filling soup that’s actually more of a stew. It’s filled with chunks of flavorful beef and tender potatoes in a lovely tomato-y base. We prefer our veggies (veggies, not potatoes) chopped up in tiny bits, so I blenderize the carrots and celery before putting them in.

These babies changed my life. I knew how to fry a fry, but I didn’t know it could turn out like THIS! You have to prepare these a few hours beforehand, cause they have to soak for a long time. I’ve used PW’s technique on steak fries as well, and they turn out every bit as amazing!

These are for when you and hubby are having a mutual bad day. Grab some cheese and leftover chicken and a great big bag of nachos and pile this thing just as high as you can! Hubby and I have de-stressed over many a pile of this goodness.

I have a confession to make. I used beef for this recipe. Every time we made it. A rolled rump roast (actually two) gives you the same effect as a pork butt, just with more beefiness. And I learned from experience, if you have an old-style cast iron Dutch oven, DO NOT use it with this recipe. You can use one of the new-fangled enameled ones, but the acid in the Dr. Pepper will eat through and rust your old pan. What I do (since I don’t have an enameled Dutch oven) is take the crock from my crock pot and cover it with tin foil to bake the meat.

This stuff became a household staple about five minutes after I served it. Yes, it is fried. Yes, I eat it all the time. And I am still losing weight. So hah. 🙂 Fry bread is possibly the most versatile thing I’ve ever eaten. They’re excellent plain, either warm from the pan or cold. (Do not refrigerate; just cover them and leave them on the counter). Or you can sprinkle them with powdered sugar while they’re warm for a heavenly dessert or special breakfast. And add chocolate sauce and sprinkles if you’re really adventurous. Or spread one with Nutella or honey. Or make Indian tacos out of them! Or make your own version of Taco Bell chalupas! Or do what Hubby loves most: make personal pizzas. Just spoon some pizza sauce on top, smother them with cheese and pepperoni, and stick them on the top rack of the oven at 350 for a few minutes.

These are like twice baked potatoes, but with more flair. They’re little medallions of creamy, flavorful goodness is what they are! I like making these if I can tell a meat dish isn’t going to turn out quite like I’d envisioned. These guys can put pizzazz back into pretty much any meal!

Now, I haven’t tried the biscuits from the recipe yet. I’m in love with the gravy, and I like to pair it with the biscuit recipe I have below. This stuff turns biscuits into a full meal. Yes, I make this for dinner.

I grew up in a family of picky eaters. But when I found this recipe and sent it to my mom, she made it and EVERYONE liked it! I felt my taste was quite validated. 🙂 The rosemary makes the meat sing as it melts in your mouth! Just don’t wear a sleeveless shirt while you’re searing the veggies; I did that and about grease-fried my arms off. Also, hubby and I are not big fans of chunky carrots, so we replaced the carrots with halved potatoes, and it turned out beautifully!

After a disappointing batch of Bisquik biscuits, I set out upon the Google trail to find the perfect biscuit. And boy did I find it. Make these. Just make them, and then tell me if I’m right. You don’t have to use unsalted butter if you don’t have any. I’ve used salted periodically, and I haven’t noticed any difference. Maybe that’s because I’m a rube.

I love having a bread machine. It’s like magic. You put in the ingredients, punch a button, and bread happens! I don’t know if you can make these without one, but I suppose you can try. I’ve used this recipe to make homemade hamburger buns, sandwich bread, and dinner rolls. And here’s a trick to making dinner rolls more interesting. Tie them in knots. When you’re cutting up the dough, roll each roll’s worth into a string and tie it in a knot, just like when you’re tying your shoes. The rolls will be flakier and more interesting to pull apart, and you’ll get compliments for your creative cooking. 🙂

I tried this on a whim, and Hubby went crazy for it. We left out the spinach, though, cause we didn’t have any. And there’s a variation that we’ve discovered: Pizza Pot! Use the same amount of noodles, liquid, oil, onion, and garlic, and put in a few spoonfuls of pizza sauce and some chopped up pepperoni and bell pepper. As soon as it’s done, stir in some shredded mozzarella. 🙂

Only twice in my life have I eaten till I was sick. Once was when I was done having a growth spurt and I didn’t realize that I couldn’t eat a whole platter of catfish by myself anymore, and the other time was with this. It tastes just like that most amazing soup from Olive Garden, but without having to wait to be brought the next bowlful. Let me give you a couple tips; the first time I made this it didn’t turn out, and I learned some good stuff. Chop up the celery and carrots by hand, not in a blender. I love my blender and pulverize most of my veggies in it, but don’t do that with this soup unless you want it to taste like cream of carrot. Also, watch the video in the link. The lady tells you a couple of things about timing the soup that made mine infinitely better the second time around.

The best thing about this recipe, to me, is that the dough tastes good with almost any filling. After our wedding, we had a ton of lunch meat left over from the reception, so we shredded it all up, mixed in a couple pounds of cheese, and made a great big batch of these. These are fun to make, and if you have a multi-level steamer, they come together really fast. 🙂

I should be ashamed for putting ramen on this list, but I’m not. This isn’t Top Ramen. That stuff is nasty. This is a brand I discovered in college. I think it’s Korean. It’s spicy and filling and goes wonderfully with cream cheese wontons, and it costs less than a buck a pack if you order by subscription from Amazon. I usually don’t use all of the spice packet, cause I’m a sissy, but if you want to clear your sinuses, dump it all in!

I made real tamales a couple times when we first got married, but they never did turn out quite right. They were either too dry, or they just fell apart. I need to find an old Hispanic mama to teach me how to do it right. But until I do, this stuff is awesome!! You get the sweetness of masa and the ease of a cornbread mix, the bite of chicken and chiles and the convenience of opening up cans and throwing everything in the bowl. Then you just chuck it in the oven and go read a book. 🙂

As I find more lovely recipes, I’ll put them on this page. In fact, I think I’ll put a link to this page at the top of the blog. Then anyone who needs it can have a easy-to-reach quick reference!

I love good music. I really learned to appreciate it in college as I struggled to retain my sanity while doing my studies and serving and growing in the Lord. Having a CD full of the good stuff playing could mean the difference between finishing a project well or not—-or between finishing it with a good attitude or a rotten one. Today I’d like to share one of my all-time favorite CD’s. It helped me at college, through the bitter times and the sweet, and it’s been my companion through many, many solitary hours.

Now I sound old.

“Let My Life Be A Light” by the Wissmann Family

This lovely collection of hymns and gospel songs is different from anything else in my music library. The songs, either a cappella or accompanied by simple instruments, are sung by several girls and young women of varying ages. I think they’re all sisters. Their voices are accessible: when I’m listening, I feel like I can sing along without hurting myself. ☺ Their voices aren’t perfect, and they’re not meant to be. When the youngest sings, her S’s sound like she had a front tooth missing at the time of recording. ☺ The whole CD sounds like something you’d hear in a little country church rather than at a concert. And I’ve found the whole collection intensely edifying through the years. I’ll highlight some of my favorites.

I Will Live For You: This is a song of service. The lyrics are simple, and the voices crack a little tiddy bit a time of two. When life sucks me in and I get turned around and busy with things, this song reminds me what the point of it all is and gets me back on track. I sang this a lot to myself between classes at college when I was so frazzled I didn’t know which way was up.

That I May Know Him: This one has been my go-to song when my eyes started looking at the things around me instead of on God. When I’ve been broken and laying in pieces on the floor of my own crystal palaces, this song has parted my lips and come as a prayer to the Architect Who had to break me down to build the temple He desired.

Before the Throne: When I’ve struggled with sin, this piece has reminded me Who has cleansed me and Who is every moment my Advocate before the Father.

Mind of Christ: This song has become my constant prayer. It’s who I want to be as a woman, as a missionary, and as a human being.

I Am Your Shield: This one. Oh my. Yes. It’s sung from the perspective of the Lord as His child goes through pain. I’ve cried, uncontrollably, when listening to this over and over while going through trials and horrible pain. There’s a victorious build at the end….just go listen to it! Go listen to it! Now!

He is Faithful: This has been a meditative song during many relaxing moments. Especially in the shower. Don’t ask me why. I sing this one to remind me of God’s promises and Who He is to His child. It’s a song sung directly to God, and the praise to Him has always brought me a deluge of peace.

Let My Life Be A Light: Another great prayer in a song. This has become my desperate prayer on the days when I’ve been lazy in my service to the Lord. The gorgeous a cappella provides a ringing conclusion to the collection, with a final note that lets you think about everything you’ve just heard.

I love this collection very, very much. You should give it a listen! I can’t seem to find it on Amazon or any of the sites I frequent. However, I know that it is on Spotify. If anyone can find the CD for sale anywhere, please say so in the comments!

I start a lot of my posts with “so,” don’t I? I should stop doing that.

So anyway…

Dang it.

Trying to not use the “S” word…anyway, staying at home all day, I do a lot of sewing.

I’ve always loved sewing. It was my first art. Crafting, designing, matching colors, turning a piece of yarn or a flat, lifeless scrap of cloth into something beautiful and alive and ready to spread happiness just does something nice deep down in my heart. Sewing is a way to de-stress, to stop thinking about whatever garbage might be going on. And the past few years, sewing has become a wonderful time for me to be with God. There aren’t any words to read or numbers to pay attention to in sewing, so it can be a time of continuous prayer or meditation on God. And it’s okay to cry if I need to; the fabric dries. Doing something constructive with my hands helps me focus. Just sitting on the couch praying, it’s easy to get distracted. But when I’m crafting, it’s like fences go up on either side of my brain to guide my thoughts down a path and keep it from going down rabbit trails.

Art has always opened me up. Drawing, painting, crafting, but sewing especially—they all open up the layers and layers of doors and veils and little locks between the real world and the real me. God has given me a love for these activities and a connection to them that’s so intense that doing them helps me surrender to Him. I can be honest without being afraid, I can admit closely-guarded secrets, and I can let Him speak to me without resisting—all while doing my art.

I dunno if everyone is like this—or heck, if anyone else is. Maybe it’s just “artists.” Or maybe everyone is an artist, and not everyone has found his or her meditative activity. My times spent with God while creating are very important to me. I need a time of openness and honesty with Him. There are so many facades we put up to everyone around us; being completely open with people is foolhardy, even dangerous. But it’s important to have a time of taking down the walls, of pouring ourselves out and throwing open the doors and windows and letting the fresh, cool wind of the Holy Spirit blow through our hearts.